New 30-day assessment ordered for Saint John man charged in murder of two boys

A Saint John, N.B., charged with first-degree murder will undergo a further mental health assessment.

A Saint John, N.B., man charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of two boys, aged 10 and 17, will undergo further assessment for his fitness to stand trial.

Roman Kamyshnyy, 45, made an appearance by telephone Friday in the Saint John Law Courts, facing charges for the Jan. 29 double-homicide.

A five-day assessment of Kamyshnyy’s mental condition showed he was unfit to stand trial. A new assessment will be conducted over the next 30 days.

On Jan. 29, Saint John Police responded to a 911 call on Skaling Court around 7 a.m.

Police immediately forced their way into the residence, where they found the bodies of two boys. They also found Kamyshnyy with life-threatening injuries.

Police haven’t confirmed the names of the deceased, nor their relationship with Kamyshnyy.

Kamyshnyy remains a patient at the Saint John Regional Hospital, in a secure room. The court heard Kamyshnyy’s condition improved significantly since last week.

Saint John Police Force Det. Const. Peter Osbourne was alongside Kamyshnyy in the hospital for his virtual court appearance, and said the accused’s condition had “improved a great deal” since his last court date Feb. 13, adding that a trach tube had been removed on Thursday morning.

“He’s no longer hooked up to any medical tubes or wires,” said Osbourne. “He has full mobility while seated upright in a chair, meaning his arms, legs, and hands.”

Osbourne said he asked Kamyshnyy if he understood the charges he was facing and what he was being accused of “at which time he said ‘yes’ to me.”

Kamyshnyy is scheduled to appear in court again March 20.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Avery MacRae.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.